NRC will run rule over new rugby laws

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RADICAL law changes are planned for Australian rugby's newest tournament, including reduced points for penalty goals, as a new era of third-tier competition begins.

The National Rugby Championship, expected to kick off on August 21 and run through to November 1, will feature nine teams from around the country, with all non-selected Wallabies and Super Rugby stars to play each week despite not being paid any extra money.

And to ignite interest, the ARU is considering a number of new laws — including those suggested by fans on social media — to create an exciting product full of running rugby.

Some of the changes being considered are:

— Reducing the value of penalty goals and drop goals from three points to two

— Increasing the value of conversions from two points to three

— Preventing teams kicking penalty goals from outside the 22

— Stopping the clock for scrums, restarting it only when the ball is out

— Aggressive refereeing of breakdown infringements, with a team warning given for first offence, and immediate yellow card for a second offence by any player.

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The ARU's new general manager of national teams and competitions, Andrew Fagan, told The Daily Telegraph: "With regards to law changes, it's genuinely all on the table.

"We'll go out to the public and pick up some of the things they're most interested in.

"Some early feedback has come around limiting time on scrum resets, we've spoken about points changes for tries and penalty kicks and conversions.

"We're not looking to make wholesale changes to the game, it's just little points of interest that might provide some excitement for the spectators, and maybe proving a leading light for international rugby.

"We look forward to our Twitter accounts getting bombarded over the next little while, we'll take it on board.

"Obviously the game of rugby is still the game of rugby, but we'll take some steps to trial a few things."

The NRC is a tweaked resurrection of the defunct Australian Rugby Championship that ran for one season in 2007 and was scrapped due to $5 million losses.

Pulver: "I'd be very disappointed if this competition didn't at least break even in 2014." Source: News Limited

ARU boss Bill Pulver declared this new version would succeed largely because FoxSports will pay $1.5 million to broadcast at least one live match per week, and the willingness of Australia's top stars to forego wages to develop the third tier of the game.

"What failed in 2007 was the financial model, it's been well reported that it cost the ARU about $5 million," Pulver said.

"There are three key differences this time around: the first is an almost $2 million swing in the broadcast environment because FoxSports and Foxtel have been wonderful sponsors of this competition. In 2007 we had to pay the broadcaster to broadcast.

"In 2007 there was almost a $3 million player cost associated with the competition. Thanks to the wonderful support we've received from the players and RUPA, there is about a $2.5 million improvement on that issue alone.

"And on top of that we have to thank all the successful syndicates who have put together the financially sustainable models for their programs. They've made a lot of effort in lining up sponsors and financial guarantors.

"As a consequence I'd be very disappointed if this competition didn't at least break even in 2014, and I think we have a real opportunity going forward to make money out of this competition."

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Alexander among true ironman greats

Craig Alexander came fifth on Sunday in his last full ironman race, the Asia-Pacific championship. Source: Michael Klein / News Corp Australia

CRAIG Alexander has not exactly retired from Iron Man triathlon, but the time is right to invite debate on where he sits among the great Australian sportsmen of recent years.

It's a tricky question because as popular as it has become, this gruelling torture test is still not quite mainstream and champions such as Alexander tend to fly slightly under the radar because they train a lot and race relatively infrequently, mostly overseas.

But within the sport, "Crowie" has been a superstar of the highest order.

In Melbourne on Sunday, he raced the full Iron Man for the last time, finishing fifth in the Asia-Pacific championship race and then finding himself unable to hold back tears as he announced his 40-year-old body had decided enough was enough.

Craig Alexander goes down the Eastlink tunnel during the Asia Pacific Ironman on Sunday. Source: News Corp Australia

The 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run, which have to be completed in about eight hours in elite competition, is probably orthodox sport's most demanding challenge, especially as you get older.

"Impressive" doesn't do justice to his mastery of it.

Alexander won the world championship on the Hawaiian island of Kona three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and was second in 2007 and fourth in 2012.

In his third win he took 12 seconds off the record, finishing in 8:03.56, and at the inaugural Asia-Pacific race three years ago, which he also won, he broke eight hours for the first time — a feat Melbourne sports fans might be waiting a long time to see repeated.

He has also won the 70.3 — or half-distance — world championship twice and been runner-up once. Having won a 70.3 in Geelong recently, and with the urge to race till not quite purged from his ultra-competitive psyche, he figures he can keep doing those, with the world titles in Canada in September a possibility.

Alexander: "I'm comfortable with the decision because I race to win and to perform." Source: News Corp Australia

In other words, he isn't about to go "cold turkey" on the sport that has been his life, but readily concedes that its time to wind down.

He has three kids — the youngest, Lani May, was born just before last year's Melbourne race — and business interests that include a year-old coaching project which bore exciting fruit when his protege Paul Matthews finished second on Sunday.

"There is a bit of sadness knowing that for whatever reason — diminishing ability or diminishing time — I am not able to compete at that level now," he said yesterday.

"But I'm comfortable with the decision because I race to win and to perform, and if I can't do it 100 per cent what's the point?

Alexander won the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon three times and set a course-record time in Oahu. Source: Supplied

"My overwhelming emotion is gratitude — I've been helped by a lot of great people who have steered me in the right direction."

As he prepared for the Melbourne race last year, in which he finished third, he told the Herald Sun he was determined not to embarrass himself by failing to recognise his use-by date.

"I'm certainly not turning up just to collect appearance fees," he said. "I race to win. And when I can't do that no-one will have to give me a boot in the bum to move on. I'll be gone."

While that's not unambiguously the case — an Iron Man spokesman said there were no plans, yet, to formally salute him because he is not fully retired — a round of applause is timely for a pleasant, popular character whose career can legitimately be labelled "great."

ron.reed@news.com.au

Twitter: @Reedrw

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Webb’s career flying high again

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KARRIE Webb's golden revival of five wins worldwide in 14 months is proof she can be in the hunt for an Olympic medal of the same colour.

Merely walking out for the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 was never going to be enough for Australia's finest female golfer.

Now, she is certain to be among the favourites.

The hardened super-competitor at the age of 39 has lifted her world ranking to its highest level (No.5) since 2007 and continues to scoff at her veteran's tag.

Webb is all smiles as she poses for photos in Phoenix with the Founders Cup trophy. Source: AP

She pulled off one of her finest victories in Phoenix by chasing down Kiwi prodigy Lydia Ko, 22 years her junior.

Webb rattled home 10 birdies in her course record-equalling nine-under-par 63 to overtake 19 players on the final day to grab the Founders Cup.

That Webb's career has taken off again is indisputable after 2012 ended without a victory for the only time in her 20-year pro career.

Since landing on the Gold Coast at the beginning of last year with a world ranking of No.17, she has won in Australia (twice), the US (twice) and England.

Webb credits money well spent on a travelling osteopath to iron out the kinks of travel and a long career for keeping her fresher since 2012.

Webb clenches her fist in triumph after the final hole. Source: AP

The 2016 Olympics is her late-in-career driving force.

"That would be the icing on the cake wouldn't it if you could win a medal,'' Webb said.

"I've loved the Olympics since I can remember. I just think walking out in the opening ceremony with the team, the Olympic village ... it would be the ultimate.''

Webb donated $27,500 of her $248,000 winner's cheque to girls' golf in the US and the same amount to The Founders film, a documentary on the LPGA Tour's 13 founders.

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Not so great Scott but all not lost

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IN a perverse way, blowing a seven-shot lead is the best thing that could have happened to Adam Scott to sharpen him for his Masters defence.

You don't sharpen reactions or putting under title-hunting pressure on the practice range and Scott would have been soft-edged heading to Augusta.

Now he knows he has to get slicker with his broomstick putter and be tougher on himself to be right in the mix for a second green jacket from April 10-13.

The tall Queenslander had the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the prized world No.1 ranking at his mercy before yesterday's inexplicable fade out in Miami.

Dig a little deeper and it was Scott's first tournament in serious contention this year and he's always needed that mental tuning before his best Masters finishes in both 2013 and 2011.

Scott said he was "annoyed" at not closing out the tournament on Monday when his scratchy five-over-par 76 gave American Matt Every the opening to win his first big event.

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"If nothing else, it's a good reminder on how much putting practice I need to do for going to the Masters and just how important it is," Scott stressed.

He took 63 putts across the final two rounds to give up a seven-shot halfway lead and made just one over 2m in the final round when under the pump.

"If I think back to last year, I made every putt that you expect to in that last round (at the Masters) and ultimately that's maybe what gave me the chance to win," Scott said.

"Sometimes you've got to be hard on yourself, sometimes you don't.

"My short game just wasn't there so that needs to be tightened up to hold up under the pressure."

Scott will be cursing. His worst round of the year came three days after his best, a first round 62.

Scott hits out of a bunker on the seventh hole and catches plenty of sand. Source: AFP

He has now lost a British Open (2012), an Australian Open (2013) and the world No.1 ranking with final day wobbles when holding big four-shot leads.

If you pressed Scott on whether a second green jacket or grabbing the world No.1 ranking from Tiger Woods was more important, he'd jump for a wardrobe addition every time.

That quest may well take shape in private over the next few days behind the guarded gates of Augusta National.

Scott is heading back to the scene of his greatest triumph for practice and will find a new-look 17th hole after the loss of the famed Eisenhower tree in a February ice storm.

He will head to his Bahamas base from there with just the right amount of anger to help crank up all parts of his game for Augusta.

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Minto leaves family to chase dream

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ASK Matt Minto about the inspirations behind his desire to make it in the NRL and he'll tell you they are almost 1300 kms away in Rockhampton.

His little three year old daughter Lila and partner Carolyn have stayed behind in his north Queensland hometown while Minto chases his dream at the Newcastle Knights.

"It's been tough being away from them but it's the sacrifice we've had to make," the rookie Knights fullback says.

"Carolyn's studying fashion design at TAFE and I'm down here trying to make a go of footy.

"I'm on a minimal contract and only signed for one year and with all of Carolyn's family in Rockhampton, we just thought this was the best way.

"Put my head down for six months, give it everything and see where it takes us.

"Hopefully, if things get a bit more secure, I'll be able to bring them down here."

Matt Minto on debut. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

In the meantime, Minto has to settle for monthly visits and plenty of phone calls.

But even he couldn't have envisaged his sacrifice beginning to pay off so quickly.

Signed as a back-up half or five-eighth from Queensland Cup premiership-winning side Mackay Cutters by Knights recruitment guru Peter Mulholland, Minto debuted as a fullback against the Canberra Raiders last Sunday after Darius Boyd tore his hamstring in the opening round.

He did well enough for coach Wayne Bennett to want to give him another shot.

Tonight, he will go head to head with Melbourne Storm's Kangaroo fullback Billy Slater in Melbourne as the injury-hit Knights chase their first win of the season.

"I can't wait to be honest," he says.

"You never want to waste opportunities like this so I'll just go out and do my best.

"Melbourne in Melbourne is still the yardstick I reckon and knocking them over down there would be massive for us."

Matt Minto at training. Picture: Peter Lorimer Source: News Corp Australia

Under different circumstances, the 23 year old may well have already left his mark in the NRL.

He was signed to a scholarship at Penrith when he was 15 but when he finally came down to Sydney after finishing high school, he got home-sick and returned north.

A year later, he was back in Sydney playing Under 20's with the Bulldogs but in his second year, he found out Carolyn was pregnant.

"Two days after she told me, I packed up and went back home," he said.

"I probably went off the rails a bit there for a time after that.

"It was my old school coach from St Brendan's College in Yeppoon, Terry Hansen, who told me it was not too late to give footy a real go and to have another crack.

"So far, it's worked out pretty good."

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Brooks-Teddy combo set for greatness

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ANDREW Johns has called on the Wests Tigers to make sure Luke Brooks and James Tedesco play out their careers together, with the rugby league Immortal declaring "it is like watching Langer and Walters".

Despite playing only four games together, the Brooks-Tedesco combination has everyone in the game talking them up as the game's next superstar combination after another starring performance in Friday night's upset win over premiership heavyweights South Sydney.

Tedesco is off contract at the end of the season and there is growing speculation that the Roosters are on the verge of announcing that they have won the race to sign the NRL's most exciting young fullback.

The Bulldogs are also in the market for a top quality fullback and they have big money to spend.

Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said yesterday his information was that Tedesco has not committed to a rival club.

James Tedesco. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Tedesco is managed by Sam Ayoub, who also looks after Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah.

"He is hot property, I get that," Mayer told The Daily Telegraph.

"But these things don't take three seconds to fix. Negotiations are ongoing so there is nothing to confirm one way or another.

"There is much speculation but at this stage we are not even close to announcing anything."

But asked directly if he was certain that Tedesco hadn't signed elsewhere, Mayer added: "I am not going to play it out in the press.

"We have had ongoing dialogue with his management and we are confident that the Wests Tigers are still in the game to retain James Tedesco."

Matthew Johns yesterday likened the Brooks-Tedesco combination to "Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater" on Triple M — while Andrew Johns added they could make an impact at club and representative level like Allan Langer and Kevin Walters did for Brisbane and Queensland.

James Tedesco of the Wests Tigers. Source: Getty Images

Andrew Johns gave Tedesco three Dally M votes for his man of the match effort on Friday night while Brooks finished with one vote after another dynamic game where both players were targeted heavily.

Johns said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show: "You know what, this is only the fourth game they have played together. It is like watching Langer and Walters together and some of the great combinations, they are on the same wave length, they know what each other is going to do.

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"I just hope they play their whole career out together.

"I'd love to see them playing, without getting ahead of themselves, at this level, club level, and maybe representative level together.

"They have got to stay together and I hope the Wests Tigers do that.

"I hope their fans get on board and buys memberships that brings money into the club."

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Buzz: Bennett blasts ‘drama queens’

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WAYNE Bennett doesn't often pick up the telephone and ring this newspaper.

But the supercoach is seriously annoyed about the recent coverage of concussion and brain injuries in rugby league.

Anyone who knows Bennett will tell that he has always regarded player welfare more importantly than two competition points.

Recently he has been accused in certain sections of the media of ignoring the dangers of head injuries.

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"Duty of care is something I really value and care about," he said.

"Some of the stuff that has been written about one of my players, Robbie Rochow, is factually wrong and an insult to our doctor and physio.

"No-one takes this stuff more seriously than I do. The drama queens are in play now. You've got to wait and listen to the experts."

Greg Inglis concussed on Friday. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

So over the weekend he put me in touch with one of the country's most prominent medical specialists.

Professor Chris Levi is a neurologist and director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the brain and mental health program.

This is the email he sent me.

"A responsible medical scientist would be shouted down for claiming 'proof' of a cause for a medical condition based on anecdote, case report and low level evidence," he says.

"Claiming a 'cause and effect' relationship between concussion and neurological illness in rugby league players is not justified.

"High quality, reliable scientific evidence is currently lacking. Naïve media reporting scientific data can, at times, unintentionally mislead or sensationalise.

"The work highlighted by Peter Fitzsimons recently is preliminary and has serious flaws.

"In contrast, Wayne Bennett's recent comments in the media recently were balanced and appropriate based on the current level of understanding of any potential long-term impact of concussion.

"Where there is concern but a lack of scientific evidence, it is appropriate to adopt caution and undertake rigorous research.

Greg Inglis concussed on Friday. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"The NRL has done the former and medical researchers in Australia are doing the latter.

"In medical science there are standards of proof required before pronouncements are made about causes of disease.

"I do not expect journalists to be expert in critical appraisal of scientific studies and evidence.

"However, the non-medical expert members of the public should expect a balanced reporting and should expect not to be misled."

Another senior neurologist Dr Sam Sorrenti supported by what Professor Levi is saying.

Two years ago your columnist proudly led the campaign to get rid of the shoulder charge.

It was for one reason only – that medical experts, far more qualified than coaches and officials, wanted it banned.

Again we should be listening to them.

Three former players, out of the tens of thousands that have played the game, have gone public with claims of brain damage.

It a tiny percentage of all those who have played the game.

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WING COMMANDERS

WINGERS have become the most skilful players in rugby league. Every week there's an acrobatic try that defies belief.

Brett Morris's effort on half-time against the Sharks was as spectacular as you'll ever see.

In the old days wingers had speed but that was about it.

Now they play as an extra forward, take marks like AFL players and have the body control of gymnasts.

Throw in the defensive work covering overlaps, quick turnarounds to chase, stopping 40-20s and defusing bombs.

It shows why they're among the most valuable players in any salary cap.

As for Morris, he's the best of the lot and is loving playing outside men as skilful as ­Gareth Widdop and Gerard Beale. At Penrith, Dean Whare scored a screamer on Saturday as well.

The best flanker I've seen was Parramatta's Eric Grothe in the early to mid-80s.

I rang him yesterday to have a rave about today's wingers.

"In my day if you had a couple if runs you'd be happy with that," he said.

"Now it's such a hard position to play. They're skilled in all areas and really impressive in everything they do."

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JAMIE'S CLASS PASS

Speaking of special skill, Jamie Soward's match-­winning pass against the Bulldogs on Saturday would have made King Wally Lewis proud.

It was a moment of class, brilliance and football genius.

The Panthers were gone. A minute and a half on the clock. Down by four. They work play to the left.

The much-­maligned Soward gets the footy near the centre of the field, just to the left of the uprights.

He shoots a bullet-like pass, cutting out two players. It lands straight on Kevin Naiqama's chest. Try time.

Matt Moylan converts from the sideline and the Panthers get the cash. Soward also set up the first try with a kick for Whare.

Maybe Phillip Ronald was right. Maybe Jamie Soward is a marquee player after all.

GUESSING REFEREES

Referees should be stopped from having to guess on doubtful tries before they go upstairs to the video box.

The number of calls that they are getting wrong this season is an unnecessary ­embarrassment.

Under Tony Archer's leadership there have been twice as many video referrals this year. That's fine — if the technology is there they should use it. But why make a call when there is enough doubt to go upstairs.

Within the space of three minutes at Penrith on Saturday, the refs got two calls wrong with Tyrone Peachey and Tim Lafai.

They also got a Brett Morris call wrong at Shark Park and another one later in the match. They should either award a try or go upstairs and leave it to the officials who can study the video.

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HIGHLIGHT

Nice to see good sportsmanship on social media. Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona accidently knocked out superstar Greg Inglis in a nasty collision on Friday night.

Straight after the game he contacted the Rabbitohs fullback via Twitter: "@greg_inglis hope your well bro''

To which Inglis replied: "@timsimona all good bro.. Cheers for the tweet man.. Just one of those things man.. All good.''

LOWLIGHT

There is not a more unpopular player in rugby league than the once admired Sam Burgess.

He continues to behave like a lunatic and is doing his team no favours with his undisciplined actions.

ENNIS FEELS HEAT

Michael Ennis is a man under huge pressure at the Bulldogs.

You could see it when he argued and exchanged heated words with team mate Josh Reynolds in the game against the Panthers.

Ennis knows the Dogs haven't paid $900,000 and provided Michael Lichaa with a car to play NSW Cup.

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Aussies crumble to opening defeat

The "Big Show" Glenn Maxwell turned it on but it wasn't enough to help the Australians to chase down Pakistan's huge total. Picture: Getty Images Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

VICTORIAN Glenn Maxwell produced a big bang to match his big bucks but it wasn't enough for sloppy Australia to beat Pakistan in their opening World T20 clash.

The Aussies now face a trio of must-win matches to qualify for the semi-finals as they fell short of Pakistan's 5-191 despite Maxwell's breathtaking 74 off 33 balls.

Australia was exhilarating with the bat but woeful in the field, with three dropped catches and ordinary ground-fielding allowing Pakistan to set a big total.

They looked no chance when they lost Dave Warner and Shane Watson in the first over of the chase to spinner Zulfiqar Babar, with more tricky Pakistan spinners yet to be produced.

Enter Maxwell, nicknamed "The Big Show'' by his teammates.

He whacked his fifty in an Australian record-equalling 18 balls and no bowler, not even the in-form mystery spinner Saaed Ajmal, could contain him.

There was a bit of everything in Maxwell's innings, even forced to duck a nasty beamer from paceman Bilawal Bhatti, which would have taken the batsman's head off had he not taken evasive action.

Glenn Maxwell smashes another boundary during his breathtaking 74 off 33 balls. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Maxwell got his own back, helping to smash Bhatti for 30 off the over.

Australia looked on track even when Maxwell was caught in the deep off Afridi but a brace of late wickets got Pakistan home.

Aaron Finch (65 off 54 balls) was terrific but Pakistan roared when he was bowled by Ajmal and the Aussies were bowled out for 175 in a 16-run loss.

Australia only had itself to blame for the loss, as it was butter-fingered in the field and blasted off the park by two controversial brothers.

The Australian fieldsmen could not have caught a cold as they dropped three catches including two simple ones from each of the Akmal brothers.

Australian opener Aaron Finch didn't miss out, thumping 65 off 54 balls. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Older brother Kamran Akmal (31) departed to end a 96-run sibling partnership, but Umar Akmal (94 off 54 balls) went ballistic and belted the Australian bowlers to the fence and over it with regularity.

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Veteran Brad Hogg wasn't a happy camper after putting down Umar in the outfield when he had made just 22, while comeback quick Doug Bollinger also spilt a dolly at short fine-leg off Kamran Akmal.

To rub salt into Australian wounds, Umar wasn't even meant to play this match after straining his hamstring in Pakistan's opening game.

The Akmal brothers got revenge last night after both were figures of major controversy in Australia in the summer of 2009-10.

Pakistan cricketer Zulfiqar Babar (centre) celebrates with his teammate Umar Akmal (left) as Shane Watson departs for just four runs. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Kamran was investigated for match-fixing after dropping four catches behind the stumps in the SCG Test, while Umar threatened to withdraw from the Hobart Test in protest at his brother's sacking.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-36) was the best of the Australian bowlers last night and Bollinger (1-28), playing his first match for Australia since 2011, was also good with plenty of pace and an early caught-and-bowled wicket.

Spinner Hogg (0-29 off three overs) was not effective and the Aussies may now look to young leggie James Muirhead for their next match.

With the rapid-fire nature of the tournament, Australia will probably have to beat all of the West Indies, India and Bangladesh to qualify for the finals.

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Bedsy hooks Country Origin role

Danny Buderus will coach the Country side this year. Picture Gregg Porteous. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

FORMER Newcastle Knights star Danny Buderus was never going to drift too far away from rugby league in retirement.

So it was no surprise when Buderus landed a jack-of-all-trades job with the Knights that includes player welfare, sponsorship liaison and a part-time coaching position mentoring the club's hookers.

But it's his latest gig that has the former NSW and Australian Test hooker excited.Buderus has been appointed assistant coach of the Country Origin squad and will be Trent Barrett's right-hand man in Dubbo when they take on Brad Fittler's City side in early May.

"Yeah, it's a great honour," Buderus said. "I must admit, since retiring I've picked up the coaching bug and I'm really interested in pursuing it. "I can't wait to get into camp with Baz (Barrett) and all the boys.

"Country won the game last season so we want to keep that going."

Buderus was chosen by Barrett with his assistants last season Peter Sharp (interim coach at the Cronulla Sharks) and Craig Fitzgibbon (promoted to the Kangaroos' support staff) unavailable.

MUDGEE may have missed out on staging Country-City or an NRL game this season but don't think for one minute their progressive local council is sitting on its hands.

We have been told council officials are currently negotiating with four NRL clubs in a bid to have an NRL match played at Glen Willow Stadium in 2015.

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Force stun Chiefs in major upset

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THE Western Force can dare to dream of landing a maiden finals berth in Super Rugby after a brace of tries from skipper Matt Hodgson lifted them to a 18-15 victory over the Chiefs in Saturday night's clash in Perth.

Hodgson scored the only two tries of the match to secure the Force's third-straight win, the result lifting the Perth-based franchise into the top six.

Relive the action at Match Centre — scores, stats and video highlights

The Force now have the chance to stretch their winning run to a franchise-record four games when they take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on April 5.

In a match filled with bruising tackles, the Force's defence was unrelenting, keeping the Chiefs' prolific backline at bay for the entire 80 minutes.

Chiefs winger Tim Nanai-Williams is stopped in his tracks by Nick Cummins. Source: Getty Images

The win was soured by a suspected shoulder injury to Wallabies forward Hugh McMeniman, who was playing his first game since hurting his neck three weeks ago.

Prop Kieran Longbottom was carried off in the 69th minute after copping a knee to the head while making a try-saving tackle.

The Force endured a few nervous moments after the final siren as the Chiefs advanced down the wing.

But a knock-on ended the hopes of the defending champions, with the 16,380-strong crowd cheering for joy as the Force players celebrated another deserved victory.

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The Chiefs struggled to create clear-cut attacking forays throughout the match, but three penalties from flyhalf Aaron Cruden gave them a 9-8 lead at half-time.

The Force created a number of good chances early in the match, with a powerful rolling maul sending Hodgson over in the 13th minute.

Matt Hodgson celebrates a try with his Force teammates. Source: News Corp Australia

Force flyhalf Sias Ebersohn nailed a 47m penalty to give his side an 8-3 lead after 26 minutes.

The Chiefs should have been on the back foot when prop Jamie Mackintosh was shown a yellow card for repeat infringements in the 36th minute.

Instead, two penalties either side of half-time gave the Chiefs a 12-8 advantage.

The Force grabbed back the lead when Hodgson barged over for his second try in the 46th minute, before Ebersohn's 58th minute penalty extended the lead to six points.

WESTERN FORCE 18 (Matt Hodgson 2 tries Sias Ebersohn con 2 pens) bt CHIEFS 15 (Aaron Cruden 4, Gareth Anscombe pens) at nib Stadium. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe. Crowd: 16,380.

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